Size and Appearance

The Fire Cherry, Prunus pensylvanica, is a small, narrow, deciduous tree or large shrub in the Rosaceae (rose) family. It typically grows 15 to 20 feet tall, but may reach 30 feet in height. Form can vary from tree-like to shrub-like. It may have a single trunk or multiple trunks. It is a fast growing species, growing 3 feet or more a year. Some sources citing growth of over 8 feet in a year. They are generally short-lived and last for 20 to 40 years.

The alternate, simple, lance-shaped leaves are finely serrated on the margin and generally measure 3 to 5 inches long. Its bark is dark with tan lenticels, and peels as the tree matures. Flowers emerge in spring, typically beginning in mid April and continuing to early May. The 5-petaled, perfect, white flowers are arranged in clusters along the branches. The bright red fruits (drupes) ripen in mid-summer, usually around mid to late July or early August. Fall color is usually yellow-orange to red.

Why “Fire Cherry”?

This species goes by many common names including pin cherry, bird cherry, red cherry, and fire cherry. The name “fire cherry” is indicative of the species’ status of a pioneer species that quickly colonizes areas that are ravaged by wildfires. Huge swaths of fire cherry can be found in forest clearings growing alongside other pioneer species such as birches, aspens, and pines.

Native Range and Habitat

The fire cherry can be found growing naturally across much of the northern United States and most of Canada. Its range in the U.S. extends from Montana east to the Great Lakes Region and north to Maine, and extending south in the Appalachian Mountains to extreme-northern Georgia. In Pennsylvania, fire cherry can be found naturally in almost every county, including Lehigh County. South of Pennsylvania, it is found only in the mountains as it does not thrive in areas with long, hot, humid summers.

Fire cherry is an adaptable, opportunistic species that can be found in wide range of habitats including clearings, forest edges, roadsides, meadows, and mixed thickets. Its largest populations are generally found in recently disturbed areas such as recently logged or clearcut woodlands and areas recently ravaged by fire. It is often found on poor, rocky or sandy soils.

Ecological Function

As a pioneer species, the fire cherry plays a critical role in habitat restoration after disturbance such as wildfire. It quickly colonizes decimated areas, providing food and cover for wildlife, as well as shade for understory species and later successional seedlings. This is possible because the seed remains viable in the soil for 50 to 100 years (or more!) This massive seed bank builds and lies dormant in forest soils waiting to germinate in the event of disturbance. It generally grows alongside other early successional species such as birches and aspens, which also have massive seedbanks in the forest soil. The quick growth and ability to colonize barren spaces are important for the prevention of erosion and nutrient loss and water loss.

An Important Keystone Species

As a keystone species, fire cherry supports many species of native bees, butterflies, and moths as well as supports many songbirds. Its flowers are an important, early source of nectar for pollinators including several species bumblebees, Andrenid (miner) bees, Colletid (cellophane) bees, and Halictid (sweat) bees. Non-native honeybees also utilize these flowers. Some early season butterflies, like the mourning cloak and spring azure may nectar on blooming fire cherry trees. The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Gray Hairstreak, Coral Hairstreak, and Red-spotted Purple butterflies and the Hummingbird Clearwing moth utilize the fire cherry as a larval host plant. Keystone species like the fire cherry are vital to the ecosystem and food web, as they support some of the largest numbers of beneficial insects, which birds and other wildlife also rely on.

Faunal Associations with Birds and Mammals

As its other common name, “Bird Cherry” suggest, many songbirds eat the cherries. Some of these species include cedar waxwings, American robins, wood thrush, gray catbirds, Northern mockingbirds, brown thrasher, American crow, Eastern towhee, song sparrows, white-throated sparrows, white-crowned sparrows, Baltimore oriole, American goldfinch, great-crested flycatchers, Eastern bluebirds, blue jays, Northern cardinals, hairy woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, Northern flicker, red-bellied woodpeckers, red-headed woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeak, and red-eyed vireo, among others. Mallard ducks have been observed feeding on fire cherries along with gamebirds such as bobwhite quail and ruffed grouse. Ruffed grouse is also known to feed on the swollen, dormant buds in winter.

Several mammals including white-footed mice, deer mice, gray squirrels, red squirrels, fox squirrels, flying squirrels, raccoons, opossums, red foxes, and black bears feed on the fruits and seeds of the fire cherry. Moose commonly browse the twigs and foliage of fire cherry. While moose no longer occur in Pennsylvania, elk and white-tailed deer will also occasionally browse foliage and twigs of fire cherry. Deer do not consume large amounts of Prunus foliage due to its toxicity; often they only browse young growth.

Culture and Landscape Value

Fire cherry is an easy to grow species that is adaptable to a fairly wide range of conditions. It will have the best possible form, productivity, and fall color in full sun, but also grows in part shade. Average to consistently moist, well-drained soils are preferable but tolerates dry soils and clay soils. It is also drought tolerant once it establishes.

Due to its short lifespan, it is not often a featured specimen. It is most useful in natural areas and restoration projects. However, it makes for a lovely addition to a home garden or landscape. It is a great choice for bird gardens, mixed hedge rows, fence line plantings, and woodland edges. Looks fabulous when several specimens are planted in close proximity to mirror their colonizing habit in nature. Plant with conifers such as pitch pines or white pines and other early successional deciduous trees like gray birch and quaking aspen. The contrast of colors, especially in the fall will be gorgeous in such a combination.